Canh Chua Ca - Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Fish Soup

Name: Canh Chua Ca - Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Fish Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 4 catfish steaks; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 thai chilis (sliced (optional)); 2 stalks of lemongrass (with the ends bruised); 2 tomatoes (cut into wedges); 1 cup pineapple chunks; 10 oz bean sprouts; 2 stalks of taro stems (bac ha) (peeled and sliced on a bias); 5 springs of rice paddy herb (ngo om) (chopped); 1 handful of fried shallots; 0.5 cup tamarind concentrate; 0.333 cup fish sauce; 3 tbsp sugar; 6 cups water

My family's Canh Chua recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a healthy soup that is hearty enough to be enjoyed as a meal.

Ingredients

catfish steaks
4
garlic
minced
3 cloves
thai chilis)
sliced (optional
2
stalks of lemongrass
with the ends bruised
2
tomatoes
cut into wedges
2
pineapple chunks
1 c
bean sprouts
10 oz
stalks of taro stems
bac ha
2
springs of rice paddy herb
ngo om
5
handful of fried shallots
1
tamarind concentrate
½ c
fish sauce
⅓ c
sugar
3 tbsp
water
6 c

Directions

1
In a 4 quart or medium-sized pot, heat up a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic, sliced Thai chilis and lemongrass. Saute for about 10-20 seconds, just until the garlic begins to change color.
2
Add tamarind concentrate, fish sauce and sugar to the pot. Mix well and allow it to come to a boil.
3
Add 6 cups of water, tomatoes and pineapples. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes.
4
Uncover, turn the heat back to high then add the catfish and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes or so, until the fish is tender. Periodically, skim off any scum or impurities.
5
Add bean sprouts and taro stem (bac ha), then turn off the heat. The remaining residual heat will cook the taro stems and bean sprouts.
6
Serve with a generous topping of fried shallots and chopped paddy herb (ngo om).

Canh Chua Ca - Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Fish Soup

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